38 The Distance Learning Market

noreply@blogger.com (Lkemp) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:08:40 PDT

A few weeks ago we sent out a survey to prospective students for distance learning. I had my suspicions that this demographic (30-45 yr. olds - mostly women) use social media much differently than the traditional college age students.

Facebook statistics say that 85% of 4 year college students have accounts and use them mainly to communicate with each other.
Our survey found that 80% of respondents do not participate in social networking and only 3% use social networks to communicate - 80% still use email.
These are only preliminary results - they still need to be analyzed officially - however, I can make some unofficial conclusions and begin to rework our social media strategy.

Here goes...
The power of social media and social networking lies in its ability of move lots of people to action - specifically, to change their behavior in such a way that NAU benefits, ie/ potential students apply and enroll.

I don't think social networks are a reliable or effective general marketing tool for the distance learning demographic because there are not enough of our prospects using them. However, I do think we can be effective in social networks in a smaller way by announcing incentivized events to a specific demographic and measuring turn-out. I also think that these channels will be effective from a PR perspective as we can release specific information to targeted demographics (ie/ influencers, students).

I also think that there will be conversation about NAU on Facebook/MySpace, etc. whether we are participating or not - so we need to be there and represent ourselves, if only to get there before an unofficial representative does.

My experience so far is that most people grossly underestimate the amount of time required to monitor, participate and manage social media. Although, our demographic is not there yet, they will be and it will be beneficial to us to be there first.

Standby for the results of our next survey: How Current Distance Learning Students use Social Media

Inundated by Email

noreply@blogger.com (gelid mornings) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:45:02 PDT

I just watched a video by Tim Ferriss ...he is the author of The Four Hour Work Week. In his book he states that email is the largest single interruption in modern life.

While I do not receive a vast number of email daily...I do find myself permanently affixed to incoming mail. I feel like I need to serve, serve, serve. BUT...when having that train of thought...it takes me away from my daily projects that I've strategically planned and laid out for the day.

Ferriss provides a template for you to drop into your email an out-of-office response...I will forgo the summary...and just practice the practice on my own.

In an effort to actually get more work done, I’m testing a new email policy. I’m checking and responding to email only twice a day at 9 am and 4 pm.

If you need a response before one of these two times, for anything urgent, please call me on my cell phone.

Thanks for understanding this move to greater effectiveness and efficiency.

I am "testing" this new policy for one week...that's until Friday, April 4 (I'm not counting today, since it's almost noon). I know already it's going to be difficult...especially since we are a service-oriented department and we tend to be people pleasers.

I'm curious how this will be received in the university community. I'll report back my findings and experiences.

Opportunity for Change

noreply@blogger.com (gelid mornings) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:38:22 PDT

I was reading Seth Godins's blog today (marketing icon and author) and in a post from last weekend he briefly described a great opportunity at hand for individuals who want to impact the world.

While we sift through the news about eggs and dairy skyrocketing or $5 a gallon gas come summer....you have to stop and think that it is during these times that real change and groundbreaking technological advances occur.

"Change (and the fortunes that go with it) is almost always made during the down part of the cycle," Godin says.

Do you find yourself choosing where or how you will spend your discretionary dollars these days? Have you seriously considered buying a hybrid car or riding your bike to work?....I have....well at least I've thought about getting a Prius...my friends know I don't do bikes.

Over the past month I've reviewed job descriptions in marketing and communications at the executive level to gage what skills I need in my bag of tricks to make it to the top. To me it seems clear that it means more education...maybe enlisting an executive mentor.

It's interesting that though the baby boomers will soon be retiring and you'd think competition would lessen in the job market....I see more and more positions in senior marketing positions asking for advanced degrees.

Are you asking yourself....What do I do next?....I'm between jobs?....I'm burnt out?

Finishing a degree you started years ago could help you get to that place you want to go. Tackling a post graduate degree may seem ominous, but if you take it one class at a time...you can complete your goal.

Getting bogged down in the myriad of bad news can bring you down and make tomorrow seem hopeless.

But.....if you focus on the future and concentrate on what you REALLY want to give to this life and you create a REAL plan on how to get there...you can't help but be a success to yourself and others.

After all marketers create strategic plans and goals everyday at their jobs...why don't they create them for their personal lives as well.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/03/opportunity-of.html

NAU MCC Partnership Day: Dual Admissions and 90/30

noreply@blogger.com (gelid mornings) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:44:17 PDT

Fred Hurst Addresses Guests at NAU MCC Partnership Day

Yesterday I attended an NAU Partnership Day. Almost 70 people from three Mohave Community College campuses got together via NAU's video conferencing (VC) system to celebrate the partnership between Northern Arizona University(NAU) and Mohave Community College(MCC).

The two schools announced two new opportunities that will, the intent of which, make it easier for students to transfer from MCC to NAU.

NAU DL's Fred Hurst Vice President of Extended Programs Fred Hurst and MCC Chancellor Michael Kearns headlined the event at the Kingman campus. MCC’s other two campuses Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City were also patched in.

Though he couldn't he join the group live NAU President John Haeger was beamed in from the main NAU space station via VC.

The partnership event unveiled NAU/MCC Dual Admission process, introduced new MCC administrators, described the new 90/30 degree transfer program and celebrated the history of the NAU/MCC partnership and the importance of higher education in our communities and in allied health and education programs.

Dual Admissions

“This agreement demonstrates NAU’s ongoing commitment to making higher education more accessible to residents of Arizona,” Haeger said.

Benefits of the dual admissions program include: an easy transition from MCC to NAU to provide optimum success to students, the ability for students to enroll concurrently in classes at NAU and MCC, the opportunity for students to receive academic advising from both MCC and NAU, and access to NAU library and several other of its main campus resources.

“By offering a clear pathway to the university, the dual admissions program takes the uncertainty out of the transfer process,” said Fred Hurst, vice president of extended programs at NAU. “And through our partnership with Mohave Community College, students have the opportunity to pursue higher education opportunities beyond those usually provided through a community college.”

90/30 Program

The 90/30 program will allow MCC students to transfer up to 90 college credits to NAU toward specific bachelor's degree programs. Students transferring to the 90/30 degree programs can apply approximately 50 percent more community college credits toward a bachelor's degree than current two-year transfer degree programs. The NAU program is Arizona's first in-state 90/30 program leading to a baccalaureate degree.

Four bachelor degrees are being offered by NAU under the 90/30 partnership: a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in public management; and a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in humanities.

NAU currently has six undergraduate and 12 graduate and certificate programs delivered in person at MCC campuses and 39 undergraduate and 19 graduate and certificate programs offered fully online.